Dental Check Up

Dental Check Up

Even if you are very conscientious about your dental hygiene, with daily brushing and flossing it is still very important for you to have regular checkups with your dentist. Two checkups per year are recommended and usually sufficient for most patients. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you are at high risk for or prone to conditions such as periodontal disease.

A comprehensive oral examination can help identify problems at the start, before they become more serious or even irreversible. Prevention and early detection are the key components to good dental health.

During the examination, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth, to look for any changes or signs of potential problems (eg. cavities, gum disease or early signs of oral cancer). Your dentist will probably use a special probe to check for gum swelling and redness and measure the depth of the gingival pockets between your teeth and gums, an exploratory probe to determine if any cavities are present and a small dental mirror to get a better view of the sides and back of your teeth.

Swelling, redness, and deep pockets are all signs of gum disease. If you have any visible problems, your dentist may recommend a particular treatment or may if needed, refer you to a specialist, such as a periodontist or orthodontist, for further treatment.

Your dentist may recommend taking some dental x-rays to check for any hidden or underlying dental conditions. These days most dentists use digital x-rays which are very low in radiation and very therefore very safe.

The dentist will also test how your upper and lower teeth come together and will look for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint (which connects the lower jaw to the skull). He/She should also discuss your health history, asking about your past dental problems, allergies, medication use, drug reactions, recent illnesses, and chronic diseases.

Your dentist may also recommend a professional clean to get rid of any built-up calculus or tartar, which can accumulate in hard-to-reach places. Tartar that is missed with regular brushing and flossing, if left untreated, can lead to serious gum disease. Your dentist will use a scaler or an ultrasound vibrating device or both to remove the tartar. Your teeth will then be polished with a slightly abrasive paste making the tooth surfaces much smoother and much more difficult for plaque to accumulate before the next cleaning.

In order to get the most out of your dental checkups, you should discuss the following with your dentist:

Tell your dentist about any new health problems you have been diagnosed with since your last visit (for example, diabetes or heart disease).

Make a list of all medications and supplements you take, including their dosages. Take this list with you to your dental checkup so your dentist can review it.

Let your dentist know if you suffer from dental anxiety. Fear of the dentist is common, and your dentist can work with you to make you more comfortable during your checkup.

Talk with your dentist about any problems or changes you’ve noticed with your teeth, gums, or the inside of your mouth. The earlier your dentist knows about pain, sensitivity, or a suspicious lump, the earlier he or she can diagnose and treat it.

Even if you are very conscientious about your dental hygiene, with daily brushing and flossing it is still very important for you to have regular checkups with your dentist. Two checkups per year are recommended and usually sufficient for most patients. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you are at high risk for or prone to conditions such as periodontal disease.

A comprehensive oral examination can help identify problems at the start, before they become more serious or even irreversible. Prevention and early detection are the key components to good dental health.

During the examination, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and mouth, to look for any changes or signs of potential problems (eg. cavities, gum disease or early signs of oral cancer). Your dentist will probably use a special probe to check for gum swelling and redness and measure the depth of the gingival pockets between your teeth and gums, an exploratory probe to determine if any cavities are present and a small dental mirror to get a better view of the sides and back of your teeth.

Swelling, redness, and deep pockets are all signs of gum disease. If you have any visible problems, your dentist may recommend a particular treatment or may if needed, refer you to a specialist, such as a periodontist or orthodontist, for further treatment.

Your dentist may recommend taking some dental x-rays to check for any hidden or underlying dental conditions. These days most dentists use digital x-rays which are very low in radiation and very therefore very safe.

The dentist will also test how your upper and lower teeth come together and will look for evidence of tooth grinding or problems with the temporomandibular joint (which connects the lower jaw to the skull). He/She should also discuss your health history, asking about your past dental problems, allergies, medication use, drug reactions, recent illnesses, and chronic diseases.

Your dentist may also recommend a professional clean to get rid of any built-up calculus or tartar, which can accumulate in hard-to-reach places. Tartar that is missed with regular brushing and flossing, if left untreated, can lead to serious gum disease. Your dentist will use a scaler or an ultrasound vibrating device or both to remove the tartar. Your teeth will then be polished with a slightly abrasive paste making the tooth surfaces much smoother and much more difficult for plaque to accumulate before the next cleaning.

In order to get the most out of your dental checkups, you should discuss the following with your dentist:

Tell your dentist about any new health problems you have been diagnosed with since your last visit (for example, diabetes or heart disease).

Make a list of all medications and supplements you take, including their dosages. Take this list with you to your dental checkup so your dentist can review it.

Let your dentist know if you suffer from dental anxiety. Fear of the dentist is common, and your dentist can work with you to make you more comfortable during your checkup.

Talk with your dentist about any problems or changes you’ve noticed with your teeth, gums, or the inside of your mouth. The earlier your dentist knows about pain, sensitivity, or a suspicious lump, the earlier he or she can diagnose and treat it.

Navigation

Get in Touch

Find Us Elsewhere

About Us

All our staff want to make your visit here as convenient and comfortable as possible.All our dentists have a minimum of 15 years clinical experience and our practice has been treating the Banora Point and Tweed Heads community for over 10 years.